Hosiery package



Jan. 17 1961 F. PHILLIPS, JR

HOSIERY PACKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 13, 1958 INVENTOR: F D LDHILLIPSAR- ATTORNEYS Jan. 17, 1961 F. PHILLIPS,'JR

HOSIERY PACKAGE Filed Nov. 13, 1958' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 LFLOYD LDHILLIPSJJ a,

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent HOSIERY PACKAGE Floydl Phillips, Jr., Graham, N.C., assi'gnor to Old D- nnmon Box Company, Inc., Charlotte, N.'C., a corporahon of North Carolina Filed Nov. .13, 1958, Sen-4N0. 773,747 Claims. (Cl.'206' f6) invention relates to a package for textile article's .andimore particularly to a hosierypackage offthe type in which thehosieryis to be mer'chandised and in' which Lthe hosieryis to be displayed during such merchandising for thorough evaluation by prospective purchasers.

In the packaging of textile articles such as hosiery, particularly hosiery of the type worn by 'rnen and boys, it' -is highly desirable to packz'rge a single pair (if hose infatpa'clca'gefof simple and attractive constructionvlihich not only supports the hose in aneat andcompac't conditi'o'n but which exposes or displays the hose in 'the rr'ios't advantageous manner so that the prospective purchaser tlie hose is formed and the type of hose which is merchandised. The nature of this type of package is such that the package "must be formed from a minimum f a'moun-t of relatively inexpensive material but at-the same time must be sufficiently rugged so as-to resist damage -"an"d deterioration during shipment and handling and-at the same time permit the display ofa maximum amount of the hose in a neat and attractivernann'er for evaluation by purchasers.

As is well known, hos'iery in "general is relatively low in unit "cost. Many hosiery packages in use today are quite complicated in construction so that the cost of =rcutting out package blanks and the time and labor involved in packaging the hose *insuch packages becomes excessive so that the cost of the *packagebecomes a relatively high proportion of the total cost "of the packfagedhosiery. Furthermore, often these present=daypackages do not display the hose to full advantage as 'well "as falling in some cases to "support both of the pair of hose inthe proper'manner. g

Accordingly a primary object of this invention ist'o provide 'a new and novel package fo'rtextile articlessuch as hosiery.

Another object of'the invention is *to'provide a hosiery package which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and which maintains the hosiery in t'he proper packaged position inspite of rough handling and the like.

'o fjh'ose containing another form of insert;

A further object "of the invention is to provide a new :and novel hosiery package which permits one or more hose to be quickly packaged by the manufacture'rin an attractive, readily displayed manner and which at "the same time permits the purchaser to readily remove the hose fromthe package for wear. v 9 1 This invention further contemplates the provision'of "a hijsierypackage forapair of hose ofthe type generally worn by men "and "boys which permits the hose to be supported in a smooth, exposed condition for convenient viewing and handling "by' prospective purchasers while supporting the hose at each end in areadily removable "manner so as to facilitate packagingandremoval of the hose from the package. 7

still further object of this inverition is to provide s. new and novel hosier y package which not "only at- Patented J an. 17, 1961 ice ti-actively displays articles of hosiery but utilizes an absolute minimum of relatively inexpensive packaging material. 7

Briefly, the objects of the invention and other related objects, are accomplished by providing a hosiery package comprising a body portion at opposite ends of which 'a pocket is hingedly connected for receiving opposite ends of one or more hose which are positioned in overlying relationship with the body portion. The pockets, which "are preferably formed integral with the body portion, *areprovided withinwardly facing openings for receiving the ends of the hose which are preferably folded and the poc'ketsarearranged to move arcuatelyupwardfrotn the body portion in opposite directions soas-"tofacilitate insertion 'ofthe ends of the hose. "In the preferred embodiment, ''a substantially fiat insert composed of flexible material is positioned within at least one of the hose sothatthe insert carryingthe hose may be bowed or flexed to permit insertion into the pockets when they are raised above the surface of the body portion. When the "insert is returned to the unflexed condition, thepockets in accordance with the-invention;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the hosiery package of the invention at one stage of the packaging'of itlie hose;

Figure '4 is a completely assembled hosiery package in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a plan view similar to Figure 1 of arnodr- 'ficatio'n of 'the blank from which the novel package of the'invention is formed;

Figure 6 is a viewsimilar'to' Figure 2 showing a-pan' Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 utilizing the "package blank of Figure 5 and the hose of Figure 6; and

-Figure 8 is aview similar to Figure 4 showing a completely assembled hosiery package utilizing the material of Figure 7. 7

Referring now to Figure 1, there 'is shown a blank formed from suitable sheet material such as paperboard or the like from which the novel package of the invention is constructed and which is designated generally by "the numeral -11. The blank 1 1 which is cut fromthe sheet paperboard in anywell known manner, comprises a substantially flat, elongate body portion '12which is, in the specific embodiment illustrated, substantially rectangular as shown, and is provided with a centrally arranged cutout portion or window 13.

Flaps '14, 16 are provided at opposite ends of thebody portion 12 and are preferably integrally connected theretob'y'm'ea'ns of hinge portions 17, 18 respectively. Flap 14' has been formed so as to provide a curved forward edge 15 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. The hinge portions 17, 18 are defined by means of fold lines 19,20 respectively. T he blank '11 is provided withtabs or tong'u'es 22, 23 which extend laterally outward on opposite sides of the :fl'aps 1'4, 16. The tabs 22, 23, which ar'e substantially identical in configuration, are connested to the flaps tblynneans of binge portions 24, 26 :de- .fined'by fold-lines 27, 28 respectively.

In accordance with the novel construction of the invention, the oppositely extending tabs 22, 23 at each end of the body portion 12 are folded inwardly in the manner of Figure 3 between the flaps 14, 16 and upper surface of the body portion 12 and their ends are joined or interconnected in overlapping relationship as shown by means such as adhesive G, staples, or the like. In this manner, each of the flaps 14, 16 together with the interconnected tabs 22, 23 and the tab hinge portions 24, 26 form a tubular pocket at each end of the body portion 12 which have been designated generally by the numerals 29, 31 in Figure 3. The pockets 29, 31 are therefore provided with inwardly facing openings 32, 33 respectively and the pockets 29, 31 are hingedly connected to the body portion 12 by means of the hinge portions 17, 18 respectively to form a hose supporting carton designated generally in Figure 3 by the numeral 34.

Although any number of hose may be packaged utilizing the package carton 34, in the specific embodiment illustrated, the carton 34 is most suitably adapted for packaging a single pair of hose and each hose of such a pair has been designated generally by the numeral 36 in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, the hose 36 are preferably of the type commonly worn by men or boys and contain a leg portion 37 and a foot portion 38 with the leg portion 37 terminating in a cuff or welt 39. In order to facilitate the assembly of the hose 36 into the hosiery package carton 34, each of the hose 36 is provided with .an insert 40 which is composed of substantially flat, flexible material such as paperboard or the like and which is of substantially rectangular configuration as shown in Figure 2. The length of the inserts 40 is such that the insert extends throughout the leg portion 37 in each of the hose 36. When the inserts 40 are positioned within the hose 36 as shown, each of the hose is folded transversely and stacked in the relationship of Figure 2 with the foot portions 38 tucked between the leg portions 37 of the two hose in the four ply, stacked relationship of Figure 2. The inserts 40 in the leg portions 37 support the hose in the illustrated position.

When the hose 36 assembled in the manner of Figure 2 are to be positioned within the carton 34, the pockets 29, 31 are pivoted arcuately upward in opposite directions above the surface of the carton body portion 12 as permitted by the hinge portions 17, 18. By bowing or flexing the inserts 40, each end of the stacked pair of hose of Figure 2 may then be inserted into the associated 'openings 32, 33 in the pockets 29, 31 respectively. This procedure is shown clearly in Figure 3 wherein the pair of hose 36 including their inserts 40 are shown just after insertion of their ends within the pockets 29, 31 and with the inserts in the bowed condition.

Taking advantage of the natural tendency of the inserts 40 to return to the unflexed or fiat condition, the hose 36 may then be pushed downwardly into overlying relationship with the carton body portion 12 carrying with them the hingedly connected pockets 29, 31 so that the ends of the hose move deeper into the pockets and the pockets and the hose lie in an overlying relationship with the body portion 12 as shown best in Figure 4 to form a hosiery package designated generally by the numeral 43.

Thus, a neat, attractive hosiery package is formed will be noted that the flap 14 with its curved forward edge 15 overlaps a portion of the upper hose welt 39 so that if the hose welt falls away from the upper edge of the insert, the exposed portion of the insert is concealed beneath the flap. Furthermore, it can be seen that the upper surfaces 41, 42 of pockets 29, 31 respectively, as shown in Figure 4, may be suitably printed or decorated in the well known manner with indicia, advertising material, or the like. As a result of the opening 13 in the blank body portion 12, apurchaser may now handle 4 the packaged hosiery and feel the texture of the hosiery material since the opening 13 permits the purchaser to simultaneously touch both sides of the packaged hose.

Referring now to Figures 5 through 8 there is shown a modification of the hosiery package of the invention in which modification like numbers have been used to identify like parts. As will be understood from the description to follow, the package of Figures 5 through 8 is arranged to package the hose 36 with the welt 39 in a more natural or relaxed condition rather than the expanded condition resulting from the configuration of inserts 40 of Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 5, a modified package blank has been provided which isdesignated generally by the numeral 46 and which is somewhat similar to the blank 11 of Figure 1. The blank 46 comprises an elongate body portion 47 which is provided with a reduced or necked down portion 47a joined by means of a hinge portion 48 to an upper flap 49, all of which parts are preferably formed integrally as shown in a manner similar to the embodiment of Figure l. The flap 49 is provided with an arcuate forward edge 50 for the purpose discussed above regarding the arcuate forward edge 15 of flap 14 in the embodiment of Figure 1.

The hinge portion 48 is defined by means of fold lines 45 and tabs 51, 52 are arranged to project laterally outward on opposite sides of the flap 49. The tabs 51, 52' are connected by means of hinge portions 53, respectively to the flap 49, and the hinge portions 53, 54 are defined by means of fold lines 56, 57 respectively. The body portion 47 is provided with a centrally arranged window or opening 55 similar to window 13 in the embodiment of Figure 1.

In the formation of the modified hose carton designated generally by the numeral 58 in Figure 7, the upper tabs 51, 52 are folded inwardly between the flap 49 and the upper surface of body portion 47, and the tabs are suitably interconnected by adhesive G or the like as described above and as shown in Figure 7 to form a tubular pocket designated generally by the numeral 59, somewhat narrower than the pocket 29 of Figure 3. The width of the pocket 59 is preferably approximately that of the hose welt 39 in the substantially relaxed condition. The pocket 59 is therefore provided with an inwardly facing opening 60. The tubular pocket 31 of the carton 58 of Figure 7 is similar in construction to the pocket 31 of Figure 3 being formed by flap 16 and tabs 22, 23.

Although an insert of the type arranged to extend throughout only the leg portion 37 of the hose 36 may be utilized in the embodiment of Figures 5 through 8, a modified form of insert 61 has been employed as shown best in Figure 6. The insert 61, which is also composed of a flexible material such as paperboard or the like, is considerably more elongate than the insert 40 of Figure 2 so that when it is inserted within one of the hose 36 it extends throughout both the leg portion 37 and the foot portion 38. It is therefore folded transversely adjacent the junction of the leg and foot portions as indicated along a fold line designated by the numeral 62.

By means of the fold line 62, each of the hose 36 may be folded as shown in Figure 6 so as to be suitably stacked in a four ply relationship. As can be seen, the upper end of the insert 61 is provided with a neckeddown portion 61a around which the hose welt 39 is positioned preferably in a slightly expanded condition and the width of this necked-down portion 61a is dimensioned so as to be snugly accommodated within the opening 60 of the upper, hingedly connected pocket 59.

As in the embodiment of Figures 1 through 4, to assemble the hosiery package of Figures 5 through 8, the pockets 59, 31 are pivoted arcuately upward from the body portion 47 in opposite directions as shown in Figure 7. The stacked pair of hose 36 of Figure 6 together with their inserts 61 are bowed in the above described manner and their ends are inserted into the appropriate openings in the pockets. The hose 36 may then be moved downwardly into overlying relationship with the body portion 47 of the carton 58 carrying with it the pockets 59, 31 so that both the pockets and hose are positioned in a substantially flat, overlying relationship with the carton body portion 47 as shown in Figure 8 to provide the modified hosiery package indicated generally by the numeral 66. Suitable indicia may be inscribed on the package surfaces 67, 63 as shown in Figure 8.

It can be seen with the novel construction of the invention that there has been provided a hosiery package for one or more hose, preferably a pair, which permits the hose to be attractively and neatly displayed for close examination and evaluation by prospective purchasers while the packageitself is simple in construction so as to require a minimum of raw materials. With the package described herein, prospective purchasers may readily ascertain the type of hose, the color and material of which the hose are composed, and the purchasers examination can be carried out to such an extent that the purchaser may readily feel of the material of which the hose is composed. The package itself may be assembled with a minimum of time and labor while all of the hose in the package are rigidly supported so as to withstand rough handling during shipment and merchandising and at the same time, the package permits the purchaser to readily remove the hose from the package without danger of tearing or the like when the hose are to be used.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A container for hosiery or the like comprising an elongate body portion and a tubular pocket at opposite ends of said body portion, said pockets each having an open end and being positioned with their open ends in opposing relation, at least one of said pockets comprising a flap pivotally connected to one end of said body portion and transversely thereof and being folded along a transverse fold line to overlie said body portion, a pair of tabs extending from opposite sides of said flap and being positioned in overlapped relation between said flap and body portion, and means for interconnecting said tabs whereby the pocket formed thereby is pivotally movable to be readily moved away from the surface of said body portion to aid in the packaging of hosiery therein,

2. A container for hosiery or the like comprising an elongate body portion, flaps pivotally connected to opposite ends of said body portion along transverse fold lines and being folded to overlie said body portion, tabs extending from opposite sides of said flaps transversely of said body portion, the ends of said tabs being overlapped and positioned between said flaps and said body portion, and means securing said overlapped tabs together to define with said corresponding flaps a pair of opposed pockets on opposite ends of said body portion pivotally movable about corresponding transverse fold lines for movement away from the surface of said body portion to aid in packaging of hosiery therein.

3. A container for hosiery or the like comprising an elongate body portion having a reduced end portion, a pair of flaps hingedly connected to opposite ends of said body portion along transverse fold lines and being folded to overlie said body portion, said flaps each being of a different width corresponding substantially to the width of the corresponding end of the body portion to which connected, tabs extending from opposite sides of said flaps transversely of said body portion, the ends of said tabs being overlapped and positioned between said flaps and body portion, and means securing said overlapped tabs together to define with said corresponding flaps a pair of opposed diiferent size pockets on opposite ends of said body portion movable about corresponding transverse fold lines for movement away from the surface of said body portion to aid in packaging of hosiery therein.

4. A hosiery package comprising an elongate body portion, flaps pivotally connected to opposite ends of said bory portion along transverse fold lines and being folded to overlie said body portion, tabs hingedly connected to opposite sides of said fiaps and extending inwardly in overlapped relation with each other between said body portion and said flaps, means securing corresponding tabs together to define opposed pockets on opposite ends of said body portion pivotally movable about corresponding transverse fold lines for movement away from the surface of said body portion to aid in packaging of hosiery therein, and a pair of folded hose having insert stiifening means therein overlying said body portion, the opposite ends of said folded hose being received in said pockets.

5. A hosiery package comprising an elongate body portion having a reduced end portion, a pair of flaps hingedly connected to opposite ends of said body portion along transverse fold lines and being folded to overlie said body portion, said flaps each being of a different width and corresponding substantially to the width of the corresponding end of the body portion to which connected, tabs extending from opposite sides of said flaps transversely of said body portion, the ends of said tabs being overlapped and positioned between said flaps and body portion, means securing said overlapped tabs together to define with said corresponding flaps a pair of opposed difierent size pockets on opposite ends of said body portion movable about corresponding transverse fold lines for movement away from the surface of said body portion to aid in packaging of hosiery therein, and a pair of folded hose having a reduced end portion and insert stiffening means therein overlying said body portion, the opposite ends of said folded hose being received in said pockets with said reduced end portion of the hose being received in the smaller size pocket.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 737,364 Davis Aug. 25, 1903 946,728 Holz Jan. 18, 1910 2,356,362 Strandberg Aug. 22, 1944 2,742,149 Berry Apr. 17, 1956 2,755,924 Tuttle et al. July 24, 1956 2,917,163 Baker et al. Dec. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 534,624 Canada Dec. 18, 1956 

